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Summary of the Book of Acts

This summary of the book of Acts provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme,
theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Acts.

Author

Although
the author does not name himself, evidence outside the Scriptures and inferences
from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author was Luke.

The earliest of the external testimonies appears in the Muratorian Canon
(c. a.d. 170), where the explicit statement is made that Luke was the author
of both the third Gospel and the "Acts of All the Apostles." Eusebius (c. 325)
lists information from numerous sources to identify the author of these books
as Luke (Ecclesiastical History, 3.4).

Within the writing itself are some clues as to who the author was:

Luke, the companion of Paul. In the description of the happenings
in Acts, certain passages make use of the pronoun "we." At these points the
author includes himself as a companion of Paul in his travels (16:10-17;
20:5 -- 21:18; 27:1 -- 28:16; see notes on 16:10,17; 27:1). A historian as careful with details as this author proves to be would have good reason for choosing
to use "we" in some places and "they" elsewhere. The author was therefore
probably present with Paul at the particular events described in the "we"
sections.

These "we" passages include the period of Paul's two-year imprisonment at
Rome (ch. 28). During this time Paul wrote, among other letters, Philemon
and Colossians. In them he sends greetings from his companions, and Luke
is included among them (see Col 4:9-17 and notes; Phm 23-24). In fact,
after eliminating those who, for one reason or another, would not fit the
requirements for the author of Acts, Luke is left as the most likely candidate.

Luke, the physician. Although it cannot be proved that the author
of Acts was a physician simply from his vocabulary, the words he uses and
the traits and education reflected in his writings fit well his role as
a physician (see, e.g., note on 28:6). It is true that the doctor of the
first century did not have as specialized a vocabulary as that of doctors
today, but there are some usages in Luke-Acts that seem to suggest that
a medical man was the author of these books. And it should be remembered
that Paul uses the term "doctor" in describing Luke (see Col 4:14 and note).

Date

Two dates are possible for the writing of this book: (1) c. a.d. 63, soon
after the last event recorded in the book, and (2) c. 70 or even later.

The earlier date is supported by:

Silence about later events. While arguments from silence are
not conclusive, it is perhaps significant that the book contains no allusion
to events that happened after the close of Paul's two-year imprisonment
in Rome: e.g., the burning of Rome and the persecution of the Christians
there (a.d. 64), the martyrdom of Peter and Paul (possibly 67) and the
destruction of Jerusalem (70).

No outcome of Paul's trial. If Luke knew the outcome of the
trial Paul was waiting for (see 28:30 and note), why did he not record
it at the close of Acts? Perhaps it was because he had brought the history
up to date.

Those who prefer the later date hold that 1:8 (see note there) reveals one
of the purposes Luke had in writing his history, and that this purpose influenced
the way the book ended. Luke wanted to show how the church penetrated the world
of his day in ever-widening circles (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of
the earth) until it reached Rome, the world's political and cultural center.
On this understanding, mention of the martyrdom of Paul (c. a.d. 67) and of
the destruction of Jerusalem (70) was not pertinent. This would allow for the
writing of Acts c. 70 or even later.

Recipient

The
recipient of the book, Theophilus, is the same person addressed in the first
volume, the Gospel of Luke (see Introduction to Luke: Recipient and Purpose).

Importance

The book of Acts provides a bridge for the writings of the NT. As a second
volume to Luke's Gospel, it joins what Jesus "began to do and to teach" (1:1;
see note there) as told in the Gospels with what he continued to do and teach
through the apostles' preaching and the establishment of the church. Besides
linking the Gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on
the other, it supplies an account of the life of Paul from which we can learn
the setting for his letters. Geographically its story spans the lands between
Jerusalem, where the church began, and Rome, the political center of the empire.
Historically it recounts the first 30 years of the church. It is also a bridge
that ties the church in its beginning with each succeeding age. This book may
be studied to gain an understanding of the principles that ought to govern
the church of any age.

Theme and Purpose

The theme of the work is best summarized in 1:8 (see note there). It was
ordinary procedure for a historian at this time to begin a second volume by
summarizing the first volume and indicating the contents anticipated in his
second volume. Luke summarized his first volume in 1:1-3; the theme of his
second volume is presented in the words of Jesus: "You will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (1:8).
This is, in effect, an outline of the book of Acts (see Plan and Outline below).

The main purposes of the book appear to be:

To present a history. The significance of Acts as a historical
account of Christian origins cannot be overestimated. It tells of the founding
of the church, the spread of the gospel, the beginnings of congregations,
and evangelistic efforts in the apostolic pattern. One of the unique aspects
of Christianity is its firm historical foundation. The life and teachings
of Jesus Christ are established in the four Gospel narratives, and the book
of Acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning and spread of the
church as the result of the work of the risen Lord and the Holy Spirit through
the apostles.

To give a defense. One finds embedded in Acts a record of
Christian defenses made to both Jews (e.g., 4:8-12) and Gentiles (e.g., 25:8-11),
with the underlying purpose of conversion. It shows how the early church
coped with pagan and Jewish thought, the Roman government and Hellenistic
society.
Luke may have written this work as Paul awaited trial in Rome. If his
case came to court, what better court brief could Paul have had than
a life of Jesus, a history of the beginnings of the church (including
the activity of Paul) and an early collection of Paul's letters?

To provide a guide. Luke had no way of knowing how long the
church would continue on this earth, but as long as it pursues its course,
the book of Acts will be one of its major guides. In Acts we see basic
principles being applied to specific situations in the context of problems
and persecutions. These same principles continue to be applicable until
Christ returns.

To depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution. The
success of the church in carrying the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome and
in planting local churches across the Roman empire demonstrated that
Christianity was not a merely human work. It triumphed under the rule
of the exalted Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Characteristics

Accurate historical detail. Every
page of Acts abounds with sharp, precise details, to the delight of the
historian. The account covers a period of about 30 years and reaches across
the lands from Jerusalem to Rome. Luke's
description of these times and places is filled with all kinds
of people and cultures, a variety of governmental administrations, court
scenes in Caesarea, and dramatic events involving such centers as Antioch,
Ephesus, Athens, Corinth and Rome. Barbarian country districts and Jewish
centers are included as well. Yet in each instance archaeological findings
reveal that Luke uses the proper terms for the time and place being described.
Hostile criticism has not succeeded in disproving the detailed accuracy of
Luke's political and geographical designations.

Literary excellence. Not only does Luke have a large vocabulary
compared with other NT writers, but he also uses these words in literary
styles that fit the cultural settings of the events he is recording. At
times he employs good, classical Greek; at other times the Palestinian
Aramaic of the first century shows through his expressions. This is an
indication of Luke's careful practice of using language appropriate to the time and
place being described. Aramaisms are used when Luke is describing happenings
that took place in the Holy Land (chs. 1 - 12). When, however, Paul departs
for Hellenistic lands beyond the territories where Aramaic-speaking people
live, Aramaisms cease.

Dramatic description. Luke's skillful use of speeches contributes
to the drama of his narrative. Not only are they carefully spaced and well
balanced between Peter and Paul, but the speeches of a number of other individuals
add variety and vividness to the account (see 5 below). Luke's use of details
brings the action to life. Nowhere in ancient literature is there an account
of a shipwreck superior to Luke's with its nautical details (ch. 27). The
book is vivid and fast-moving throughout.

Objective account. Luke's careful arrangement of material need
not detract from the accuracy of his record. He demonstrates the objectivity
of his account by recording the failures as well as the successes, the bad
as well as the good, in the early church. Not only is the discontent between
the Grecian Jews and the Hebraic Jews recorded (see 6:1 and note) but also
the discord between Paul and Barnabas (see 15:39 and note). Divisions and
differences are recognized (15:2; 21:20-21).

The speeches are obvioiusly not verbatim reports; any of them can be read
in a few minutes. We know, e.g., that Paul at times could be a long-winded
preacher (see 20:7,9; 28:23). However, studies of these speeches (speakers,
audiences, circumstances, language and style of writing) give us reason to
belive that they are accurate summaries of what was actually said.

Plan and Outline

Luke weaves together different interests and emphases as he relates the beginnings
and expansion of the church. The design of his book revolves around (1) key
persons: Peter and Paul; (2) important topics and events: the role of the Holy
Spirit, pioneer missionary outreach to new fields, conversions, the growth
of the church, and life in the Christian community; (3) significant problems:
conflict between Jews and Gentiles, persecution of the church by some Jewish
elements, trials before Jews and Romans, confrontations with Gentiles, and
other hardships in the ministry; (4) geographical advances: five significant
stages (see the quotations in the outline; see also map, p. 2268; cf. note
on 1:8).